Bag Cartridge with Anti-Torque Collar

ABSTRACT

A collapsed bag cartridge ( 20 ) for Bag-in-Box (BIB) carton packaging, is configured for installation as a self-contained module in an aperture ( 24 ) in a pre-assembled carton wall; the bag cartridge features a collapsed bag in a compact folded format ( 21 ) with a locating and retention collar ( 12 ) upon a bag neck ( 13 ) of complementary profile to the carton aperture; with complementary inter-fitting ribs and slots ( 18 ), in collar aperture rim upstand ( 17 ) and bag neck ( 13 ) for closure anti-torque action.

This invention relates to so-called Bag-In-Box (BIB) carton packagingsuitable for diverse flowable materials, such as liquids, gels,granules, pellets, capsules, sachets, chunks, crystals, flakes orpowders.

Terminology—BIB

The term BIB is used herein for convenience to embrace packaging withinner and outer structures of different materials. A prime categoryfeatures a relatively soft deformable inner liner or bag and arelatively stiff, hard outer box or carton. The inner structure isimpermeable and sealable for contents enclosure—whilst the outerstructure need not be, but rather serves as a protective outer cover.

Fundamentally, inner and outer structures are made separately andindependently by different processes and brought together for contentsfill. This contrasts with, say, continuous sealed tube cartontechnology, such as represented by TETRAPAK™

Particular BIB concerns are carton case assembly erection, bag (liner)insertion, inflation and fill. BIB offers the prospect of collapseformat, both before and after use, with attendant savings in so-calledin-bound logistics and post-usage disposal.

Thus BIB obviates shipment and storage of empty containers preparatoryto contents fill. However, BIB does require mechanised assemblypreparatory to fill, and thus additional facilities and operations at orprefacing a fill station. These counter savings in transport and storageof empty rigid wall containers. Moreover, BIB fill requires specialisedequipment, generally incompatible with that for rigid containers.

Regulatory & Environmental

Regulatory and environmental pressures militate against rigid wallplastic containers, but both bag plastics and card are biodegradable.Moreover, some territories apply import levies upon weight of plasticsmaterial introduced, so minimal plastic bag mass is advantageous. Bothcarton and bag lend themselves to production from materials which can berecycled.

Bag

Although commonly, thin walled for economy of production—and sovulnerable, to puncture, tear or rupture—a bag lends itself to collapsebefore and after use for contents storage. The Applicant has used thisto advantage in bag installation.

Carton or Box

A relatively stout outer box or carton offers protection and support toan otherwise vulnerable bag. Mutual bag-carton interaction—and inparticular relative location—pose particular challenges for BIBpackaging.

Regulatory & Environmental

Regulatory and environmental pressures militate against rigid wallplastic containers, but both bag plastics and card are biodegradable.Moreover, some territories apply import levies upon weight of plasticsmaterial introduced, so minimal plastic bag mass is advantageous. Bothcarton and bag lend themselves to production from materials which can berecycled.

Bag

Although commonly, thin walled for economy of production—and sovulnerable, to puncture, tear or rupture—a bag lends itself to collapsebefore and after use for contents storage. The Applicant has uŝ̂̂DocumentError̂̂̂̂̂̂Document Error̂̂̂ ̂̂̂Document Error̂{circumflex over (̂)}{circumflex over(̂)}

Prior Art—Conventional BIB

In a conventional carton assembly and erection to an open-ended sleeveformat is undertaken separately from bag (contents) fill. Bag fill isundertaken through a top neck or spout, before installation of a(threaded) closure cap.

A filled bag is inserted through a carton open (top) end and carton topflaps closed over the bag to create a full enclosure. A bag neck andspout may be submerged within the closed box—accessible by opening apanel or hatch. Alternatively, the bag neck or spout penetrates alocalised aperture in a box top flap.

Mechanisation

In conventional mechanisation for mass production and on-line fill, acase-erector is employed for carton assembly erection and flap closure.For sealing a carton closed, hot melt adhesive is applied to mutuallyoverlaid panel faces and/or tape is overlaid upon carton edges. However,adhesive and thin wall bags are generally incompatible—and this hasproved a deterrent quality control concern in BIB adoption. Moreover,top entry bag insertion dictates an open top carton configuration withclosure panels or flaps—requiring a discrete taping security step forretention.

Applicant's Earlier Technology

The Applicant has BIB technology with various (branded) improvements,including . . .

JERRIBOX(™)

The Applicant has devised a bespoke BIB container—branded JERRIBOX(™)—inwhich a special locating collar is fitted between inner bag liner andouter box carton, to allow fill on a fill line originally intended forrigid wall containers such as plastics jerrycans.

The Applicant has also devised a collapsible flat pack pre-assembledformat, in which a collapse folded bag is sandwiched within a collapsefolded carton wrap—but for a protruding neck—itself held captive by alocating and entrainment collar.

The Applicant has further devised pneumatic bag inflation—branded PULSEPA(C)K(™)—to effect, or at least assist, bag and wrapped carton erectioninto a 3-D form, preparatory to fill. A continuous or discontinuous(time/amplitude) ‘controlled’ individual pneumatic pulse or pulse streamis envisaged for this.

Challenges arises in assembly, erection and contents fill of suchJERRIBOX(™) containers. Thus conventional carton case erectors cannothandle collapsed JERRIBOX(™) containers without some modification. TheApplicant has devised re-configured case erectors and a bespoke machinededicated to bag erection and fill from a collapsed form within acollapsed carton.

For use on a fill line, in particular with diving or plunging headfillers, a protruding bag spout must be prevented from retreating intoan outer carton by bag deformation and collapse. The Applicant's collarbetween bag neck and carton aperture captures and inhibits bag neckaxial movement in relation to the carton.

Bag Orientation

Bag angular orientation or indexing within the carton is also a factor,particularly for rectangular bags. With a bag collar interventionbetween bag neck and carton, bag disposition reflects relative locationsof bag and collar, along with collar and carton. Complementaryinter-fitting, say rectangular, collar and carton aperture profilesinhibit relative collar and carton rotation. For bag neck screw closurefitment and tightening bag anti-rotation or anti-torque provision isdesirable.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention

a BIB carton comprises

a bag location and retention cartridge or capsule,

configured as a compact module,

mounted upon or entrained with a bag neck

for insertion from outside the carton,

into a (pre-formed) carton panel aperture.

Alignment & Anti-Torque

An optional feature is complementary inter-fitting collar and neckprofiles. An example would be a serrated collar aperture and radialprotrusions on a bag neck. These are conveniently disposed adjacent abag neck ring which interacts with the circumference of a collaraperture, or an upstand rim there-from.

The module is self-contained and pre-fabricated—with bag ready formounting and deployment. The cartridge can feature a bag location andretention collar such as previously devised by the Applicant, butadapted to facilitate bag installation—specifically by admitting bag(collapse) pre-fold.

It is easier to handle and insert a pre-collapsed bag into a carton thanan erect one, with less risk of bag snagging, tear or perforation. Thus,such a cartridge represents an alternative to interleaving of flat bagand carton before erection—a technique also conceived and pioneered bythe Applicant.

External Installation

A cartridge can be installed from externally of a carton—a radicaldeparture from BIB convention. Indeed, the carton can be fully erectedand sealed into a closed 3-D form, merely leaving exposed a modestprofiled aperture for cartridge insertion. Thus carton completion neednot be delayed pending bag installation.

Carton Profile

The carton aperture desirably has flat sides to contact correspondingflat sides on a bag collar. A rectangular aperture and collar boundingprofile are convenient, but other flat-sided, polygonal forms could beused.

Complementary curvilinear forms might also be contrived, givenconsideration to geometry for mutual interfit, retention, location andanti-rotation.

Pre-formed Carton Aperture

A carton aperture to receive a cartridge—or rather its location andretention collar—is desirably pre-formed. Thus an aperture could be diecut as part of an elongate laid-flat strip 2-D carton blank, preparatoryto folding over into a closed loop 3-D form.

Pre-Perforation of Carton Aperture Delineation

As an alternative to pre-cut out, a micro-perforated aperturedelineation might be pre-imprinted as a weakening line into a cartonpanel. This preparatory local wall thickness reduction and weakeningfacilitate punch through displacement to reveal an aperture, uponcartridge forced insertion. One location is desirably at an edge betweentop flap and side wall—so as not to undermine stiffness—by contrivingaperture bounding edges in orthogonal panel faces.

Push Fit Cartridge Insertion

Unusually for BIB, cartridge insertion can be undertaken for anassembled and closed carton, by push-fit and snap-action edge rimretention lugs.

Frangible Collapsed Bag Tie

A cartridge features a collapse (say concertina) folded bag disposedwithin a frangible or burstable enclosure, wrap or bag (of say thinpaper), with optional bounding closure tie, and a location and retentioncollar entrained to a back neck.

Bag Within Collar Confines

A collapsed bag can sit within the bounding confines or footprint of aperipheral rim upstand of a cartridge collar, or as a snug cluster undera collar tray. The collapsed bag should be unencumbered by its temporaryenclosure, to remain freely deployable—say, upon contents fill, withoptional preparatory pre-inflation (air) pulse burst. A compactpre-assembled cartridge protects the bag until deployed within a cartonand is more readily shipped, stored and handled—so better suited toautomated mechanised assembly lines.

Cartridge Packing

Pre-assembled cartridges could be stacked upright in a grid array in acarton tray, readily accessible for pick-and-place collection by arobotic arm. A plunger nose penetrating the collar, or rather the bagneck aperture, could be used, or a modest suction, to grip a selectedcartridge for withdrawal from its shipment packaging tray. A standardcase erector could be adapted for full carton assembly, erection, endflap closure, bounding edge tape seal and/or panel bonding—preparatoryto mechanised cartridge insertion by, say, a robotic pick-and-place arm.

Anti-Torque Bracing

A bag neck or spout must be braced against screw closure cap fitment andtightening to seal—otherwise the neck, and with it the bag, would twistand deform. This requires interaction between bag and box. Thecartridge, or rather the collar part of the cartridge, has a receptionaperture for bag neck insertion.

The collar aperture edge rim can be profiled as a slightly raised,resiliently deformable snap-action interfit with a threaded bag neck.Coarse circumferential segmentation or serration of such a collaraperture upstand rim and co-operative interaction or interfit with acomplementary ribbed profile or at least radial lugs upon a bag neckcollar.

Interfit of collar aperture recesses and bag neck ribs or lugs providesanti-rotational action and the interfit of a rectangular profile collarbounding edge with a rectangular carton aperture braces collar tocarton. So overall, bag neck rotation upon threaded closure cap screwtightening is inhibited. The collar aperture upstand and bag neck collarabutment also inhibits bag neck retraction under downward load of, say,a plunging head filler.

Bag-Collar Entrainment vs Integration

Bag neck and collar can be mutually entrained discrete elements (withsay snap action interfit of profiled collar aperture and bag neck) orintegrated (say with a unitary moulding) upon bag production.Entrainment favours pre-assembly of a collar and collapsed back in acompact cartridge forma. Additional features could be integrated withthe collar—say for carton retention and handling.

Integrated Clip

The collar desirably has an integrated retention ‘clip’ profile forinteraction with carton panel edges. Clip action allows for springaction by resilient deformation of collar wall and/or carton panel edge.

Unitary Cartridge Module

The cartridge as a unitary module can thus clip—say with positivesnap-action—into a carton wall aperture.

Recessed Tray Profile

The recessed tray profile with inset bag neck or spout of theApplicant's PCT/GB2004/002609 could be adopted. The tray serves forspillage containment and local carton wall protection. In that PCT case,options for integration of bag neck and collar and bag installation fromoutside a carton were envisaged.

The present invention provides improvements in modular wrap, locationand retention. A tray collar preserves an overall rectangular cartonprofile with bag in situ and a spillage containment shield helpful as asplash guard in original contents fill and subsequent user pouring—cardcarton material being vulnerable to moisture wetting.

Collapse-Fold Bag+Collar

Pre-Wrapped Bag Cartridge

In a particular construction, a bag, pre-collapsed within frangible(paper) outer shroud, has a neck entrained or integrated with a locatingcollar. This pre-assembly is ready for installation as a unitary moduleinto an aperture in a carton wall, such as a top closure flap and/orside panel.

Pre-Insertion

Such a bespoke collapsed bag and entrained locating collar can bepre-inserted—ie before bag inflation and contents fill. ‘Whole body’insertion in a larger than conventional BIB carton (bag neck) apertureis envisaged. In some variants, (cartridge) insertion could be combinedwith a carton closure step—by co-operative interfit between collar andcarton flaps.

Initial carton erection and closing could leave (part or fully) open topflaps for interaction with the collar, before flap closure and sealing.A so-called crash-lock top and bottom carton end flap configurationcould be contemplated. This would admit of manual or simple mechanisedoperation—say with pre-glued panels for bonding on mutual flap (closureand overlay) contact.

Closure—Lock

The collar could itself form a carton (top flap capture) closure orlock. Such a closure might supplement, or even substitute for,conventional carton flap closure techniques such as tape or adhesivebonding.

Carton Re-configuration

The carton configuration admits of re-design over conventional end flapclosures.

Collar—Carton Interfit

Thus, collar and split flap interaction could be substituted by collarand carton wall aperture interfit. Insertion action would reflect collarinterfit—with, say, selective use of deflection, slide and/or rotation.

One-way Insertion

A one-way insertion mode would be desirable to inhibit inadvertentunseating and withdrawal under transit vibration, handling and baginflation forces. Vigorous mix shaking as in paint industry use would beand example. An irreversible insertion without visible evidence ofinterference could serve as a tamper evident closure.

Manufacture—Moulding

As to collar manufacture, whilst low cost (tooling) vacuum formingtechniques might be employed. For more elaborate forms, such asintegrated clip, injection moulding is envisaged. Further features mightthen be incorporated in a common mould tool, without disproportionatecost. For longer runs, injection moulding would allow more elaboratefeature integration—such as of collar and bag neck.

Recycling

Ready reversal of installation and/or break out and isolation ofcomponent elements upon BIB container discard after use lends itself tore-cycling. Thus a collar moulding and bag could qualify in the sameplastics recycling category and are readily separated from the cartonitself in another category.

Collar (Clip) Retention

The collar desirably features retention clips for interaction withcarton panels or panel edges.

Discrete Clip

Discrete individual clips may be employed, say with a one-way springwedge or detent insertion action. A serrated depending tang, spike orstud allows one-way insertion in a complementary panel aperture, bytemporary deflection of panel edges—but inhibits removal by abutmentwith panel underside faces.

Edge Clip Profile

Alternatively, a fragmented or continuous resiliently deformable edgeprofile may be adopted. This profile is deflected upon insertion justsufficiently to fit within a carton panel mounting aperture, whereuponit springs back to inhibit withdrawal by engaging panel inside faces.Continuity may run around the entire clip periphery or segmented injuxtaposed runs along clip side edges.

Flex Floor

For a collar configured as a shallow tray, with a peripheral upstandingedge wall and top flange or lip overlay, a conical tray floor profileadmits flexing. Reversal of such flexing to stable profiles on eitherside of an (unstable) flat plane in turn drives the walls outward orinward—for panel aperture insertion or location—retention.

Flexible Bag

Bag collapse pre-supposes a flexible bag (wall) —admitting rollingand/or folding without permanent set or damage and restitution ofunfurled format.

Pillow Bag

A free-form so-called pillow bag—which is volumetrically compatiblewith, and whose outer profile conforms to, the inner profile of an outercarton containment—could be employed. That said, rectangular formatbags, with seams dictating a pre-constrained outer profile,complementary with carton capacity, could be used.

Roll/Fold Orientation

A bag roll or fold axis orientation transverse and/or about the bag neckaxis may be adopted. Bag orientation is facilitated by correction collarpositioning and retention by carton closure. Alternatively, a concertinaor successive mutual overlay, fold may be employed. Multiple individualfold axes, in selective combination across and/or along or parallel to abag neck axis, could cumulatively contrive a compact cartridge form. Yetsuch a cartridge could be readily expandible—without snagging—in, say,the manner of a parachute, to an unencumbered, fully-deployed form,ready for contents fill.

Carton Configuration

An insertable from exterior bag-collar cartridge frees up top closureconstraints upon carton configuration. Thus split top carton flaps couldbe replaced by a continuous wrap. Alternatively, multiple top flapconfiguration could be adapted for collar mounting—say to allowinsertion in one plane, followed by insertion in another plane. Reliancewould then still be placed upon a final taping of top and/or side flapseams to secure overall carton closure. Bag inflation could be contrivedto promote carton (top flap) closure—ie a proportion of filled bagweight could be transferred through neck locating collar, to the topflaps. The collar itself could be configured to promote carton(top-side) flap closure.

Collar Portion Interfit

Discrete complementary opposed collar portions could be configured forco-operative locking interfit upon installation around a protruding neckspout.

Collar Slot—Slide Action

A collar edge slot could allow (lateral) sliding insertion of cartonpanel edges. Slot depth could allow either solid or corrugated cartoncard materials. Slot walls could retain a modest resilient spring actionto grip inserted carton layers.

Split/Hinged Collar

A split and/or hinged collar configuration could facilitate installationand promote carton closure.

Frangible Restraint Tie

A restraint tie, such as a tape, band or cord, could wrap around acollapsed (rolled and/or folded) bag to preserve collapsed conditionuntil severed or fractured preparatory to, or upon bag deployment. A‘self-destruct’ tie, or overall bag wrap or sheath—ie one which failed(eg rupture or burst) upon intentional bag inflation load—could helpprotect the collapsed bag cartridge in the interim.

Sheath Format

A sleeve or collar sheath format would suit a cylindrical bag roll aboutthe bag neck axis. A pneumatic pulse inflation could burst or rupturesuch restraint, without damage to the bag wall itself.

Inflated Bag—Split Collar Interaction

Bag inflation could promote or secure split collar installation by, say,bag top wall contact bias against a collar underside, to resist collarfold or collapse. Thus, for example, reversible cone collar floor actioncould be triggered by contact with inflated bag top wall shoulders, inturn to flip collar walls outward into secure location with carton toppanel/flap edges.

Pre-tensioned Bag Wall

A bag wall pre-tensioned or biassed to impart an inherent roll-up orcollapse fold tendency or pre-disposition could be contrived to keep asplit collar ready for installation. That is, bag collapse into acompact pack would accompany collar element (re-)disposition.

Residual Contents Discharge

Once bag contents have been discharged, while the bag remains within acarton, the bag cartridge could be removed and the bag rolled and/orfolded to promote residual contents discharge. A bag with a permanentmemory or set for reversion to a collapsed form would impart contentsdischarge bias throughout its temporary storage role. Such a set couldbe imparted by differential local heat treatment and/or wall stretch orthickening upon initial bag fabrication such as from a continuous tube,or as post-fabrication treatment by applying a heated tool.

Flat Pack

Operationally, collapsed bag cartridges and collapsed cartons could bedelivered to a fill location. This eases so-called ‘inbound logistics’and minimises local storage space requirements. Bag cartridges suitablefor a variety of carton shapes and sizes also simplify stockrequirements.

Carton Liner

A bag cartridge is compatible with a carton liner, inserted upon initialcarton erection, before end flap closure and before bag cartridgeinstallation.

Retained Collar

A retained collar keeps a bag cartridge in place under disturbingvibrations in transit and supplements the effect of a filled bag weightin pulling the bag down inside a carton. Thus a combination of bag seatupon a carton base and hang from a collar seated into a carton top keepsthe bag deployed and collar in place.

Bias Weight

A bias weight could be attached to a bag, say at a bottom edge, topromote bag deployment. An example would be a slab of dense material, oreven the carton wall material in individual or multiple layers. A weightprofile complementary to the inner carton wall profile would help bagand carton alignment. Rounded edge forms could discourage snaggingbetween weight and inner walls. The weight could feature a cushion orpillow bag to absorb and dampen impact shock upon the carton.

Air entrapped below the weight could act as a cushion damper against thesudden impact shock of bag inflation or contents fill. An expandibleprofile mass, such as a base slab with fold-up/down peripheral walls,could be employed to fit within a carton inner profile upon bagdeployment. This would preserve bag and carton mutual alignment andinhibit bag snagging.

Overall Costs

Overall a bag cartridge offers low fabrication and assemblycosts—competitive with conventional BIB structures and rigid walledjerrycans.

Terminology—Cartridge—Capsule

The term collar is used herein to embrace either discrete element orintegrated with bag neck formats.

EMBODIMENTS

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of a bagcartridge with anti-toque profile according to the invention, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic andschematic drawings, in which:

Bag Cartridge

FIGS. 1A through 1C show progressive deployment stages for a bagcartridge of the invention from initial rolled and taped format to fullydeployed or at least unrolled;

NB . . . full bag erection is upon contents fill, with optionalpreparatory (air) pulse inflation—after bag insertion in a carton, asreflected in FIG. 3C;

FIG. 1D shows an alternative collapse rolled bag format about a bag neckaxis and temporary containment in an enclosure, wrap, tie collar orsheath;

NB . . . A particular example would be a paper bag, burstable upon apreparatory air pulse applied through the bag neck for bag deployment.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show collar fitment of a bag cartridge of FIGS. 1A-1C toan erect pre-assembled carton, through a pre-formed carton aperture withwhich the collar is a snug interfit;

NB . . . Installation can be entirely from externally of a fullyassembled, erected, closed and sealed carton.

That said, sliding insertion from one free side edge of a residual opentop flap, pre-closure, remains an option—as reflected in FIG. 10C.

FIGS. 3A through 3D show successive installation stages for a collapsedbag cartridge of FIGS. 1A-1C, culminating in bag neck or spout closurecap fitment and screw tightening (resisted or braced against by in-builtanti-torque provision);

FIGS. 4A through 4D show a bag cartridge with pre-collapse folded bagupon a collar with integral multiple discrete resiliently deformable(edge) retention clips;

NB . . . A tapered entry nose clip profile allows ready one-wayinsertion, but an end abutment ledge inhibits inadvertent dislodgementor removal.

FIGS. 5A through 5D show a bag cartridge collar with alternativeintegral retention clips to FIGS. 4A-4C;

FIGS. 6A through 6D show a bag cartridge collar with continuousperipheral clip side wall and edge profile;

FIGS. 7A through 7D show a bag cartridge collar with multiple discretedepending retention spring clips integrated with a peripheral rimflange;

FIGS. 8A through 8D show a bag cartridge collar rim configured as a bagenclosure boundary wall;

NB . . . bag profile could be adapted (say, locally waisted) to skirtaround such a fence upon bag deployment, so the protective shieldthereby afforded for a collapse folded bag does not impede orprejudicially deflect bag deployment.

FIGS. 9A through 9D show a bag cartridge with convoluted, stackedmulti-layered bag collapse fold for offset ‘directed’ deployment;

FIGS. 10A through 10C shows a bag cartridge with collar edge slot (slideinsert) interaction with a bespoke carton top flap and wallconfiguration;

FIGS. 11A through 11G show a bag cartridge with collar edge slot (slideinsert) interaction with another bespoke carton top flap configurationto FIGS. 10A-10C;

FIGS. 12A through 12F show a bag cartridge with collar location andpush-fit locking tab;

FIGS. 13A through 13C show a bag cartridge with deformable (flex) wallcollar retention;

FIGS. 14A through 14I show a cylindrical barrel configuration bagcartridge with collapsed bag containment in a drum collar with dependinglocking and spill tab;

FIGS. 15A through 15E show a barrel or drum bag cartridge withreversible flip action recessed/pop-up collar for a captive bag neck.

FIGS. 16A through 16D show a bucket or pail format carton fitted with acompact shallow drum lid bag cartridge having a wide-span contentsaccess aperture;

FIGS. 17A through 17C show mechanised bag cartridge installation, by anautomated ‘pick-and-place’ robotic arm, into a carton top—side aperture,with umbilical feed of contents and/or pneumatic inflation;

Anti-Torque Provision

FIGS. 18A through 18D show enlargement detail of location-retentioncollar and bag neck co-operative anti-torque (and anti-plunge)interaction for bag cartridge installation;

More specifically:

FIG. 18A shows a scrap front elevation of a collar with bag neckinsertion from below; a neck retention and thrust ring is apparent, forinteraction with a collar aperture rim upstand, more apparent inf FIG.18D;

FIG. 18B shows a scrap section, taken along the line B-B′ in FIG. 1C, ofbag neck and collar of FIG. 18A installed in a carton top recess;

NB . . . a carton wall instep is depicted for collar support, but couldbe omitted in favour of a carton aperture corresponding to the collarfootprint—reliance then being place d upon collar self-support spanbetween aperture edges;

FIG. 1C shows a plan view of the installed collar and bag of FIGS. 18Aand 18B, showing collar aperture segmented profile;

FIG. 18D shows a local sectional enlargement of collar retention by neckshoulder and anti-rotational complementary interfit of neck and collarrim profiles;

Bag Pre-Insertion in Carton

FIGS. 19A through 20B reflect bag pre-installation within a carton as acollapsed flat folded sandwich, prior to location and retention collarfitment from the opposite side of a carton wall to the interveningbag—and are included for completeness as an alternative to bagpre-collapse fold within a cartridge format.

The intention is to depict the wider applicability of an anti-torquefeature between collar and bag neck—for both pre-installed bag andcollapsed bag cartridge formats.

It also follows that a bag, whether presented as an open face orflat-pack, or pre-collapsed, could be introduced from within a carton,or rather from an inside face of a residual open top flat, with aretention collar presented afterwards.

Taken in the context of the foregoing provisos . . .

FIGS. 19A through 19C show successive stages of bag insertion and collarfitment in relation to a collapsed flat pack carton sleeve wrap;

More specifically:

FIG. 19A shows a collapsed flat—albeit not wrapped or over-folded—bagliner without closure cap juxtaposed with a collapsed carton sleevewrap;

FIG. 19B shows a collapsed carton sleeve wrap;

FIG. 19C shows a local enlargement detail of FIG. 19B with location andretention collar installed upon a bag neck protruding through a cartonwall aperture to mutually entrain carton and bag;

FIGS. 20A and 20B show a fully assembled collapsed flat pack carton withinstalled flattened—but not compact folded—bag;

The bag and carton interfit of FIGS. 19A through 20B can be replaced bya pre-collapsed bag cartridge as reflected in preceding FIGS. 1A through17C and following FIGS. 21A onwards;

More specifically:

FIG. 20A shows threaded closure cap juxtaposition with a protruding bagneck;

FIG. 20B shows closer cap rotary threaded installation and tightening,with collar-bag neck and collar carton aperture co-operative(anti-torque) inter-fit;

Reverting to the bag cartridge format, various cartridge and cartonconfigurations and relative dispositions are explored in FIG. 21 et seq.

FIGS. 21A through 21E show assembly of a bag cartridge from collarfitment to the neck of a collapse folded bag disposed within an outerwrap with frangible tie, for installation into a carton aperture;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 21A shows a cartridge of assembled collar and wrapped collapsefolded bag, with closure cap omitted for clarity to reveal anti-torqueinterfitting abutment profiles on bag neck and collar aperture;

FIG. 21B shows mutually aligned wrap folded bag and collar juxtaposedfor interfit—ie collar mounting upon bag;

FIG. 21C shows pre-assembled bag cartridge juxtaposition with a cartonaperture;

FIG. 21D shows cartridge installation upon a carton, with closure capfitted (albeit this would be undertaken finally after contents fill);

FIG. 21E shows a variant collar aperture and bag neck interfit profile,for unique indexed bag angular orientation;

Thus diametral slots in a bag collar aperture rim correspond todiametral ribs on a bag neck;

FIGS. 22A through 22H reflect a bag fold and wrap sequence for a bagcartridge of mutually entrained bag and (neck) collar;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 22A depicts juxtaposed collar, frangible tie wrap strip, and bag(neck);

NB the tie strip has an inherent weakness about the neck aperture—andadvantage is taken of this for strip rupture upon bag inflation; atransverse diametral weakness to failure line is depicted in brokenline, and indeed could be expressed as strip pre-perforation;

FIG. 22B shows an interfitted collar, bag neck and laid flat bag;

FIG. 22C shows an initial longitudinal bag fold about a line tangentalto a bag neck;

FIG. 22D shows a subsequent reverse fold of underlying folded bag panelabout a line tangental to the bag neck, but on a diametrally opposedside;

FIG. 22E shows a further longitudinal fold to create a strip of widthcorresponding to the bag neck—or thereabouts;

FIG. 22F shows an initial transverse fold of the longitudinal foldstack, and this is followed for further over-folds to create the compactfolded bag of stacked panels or leafs of FIG. 22G;

FIG. 22G shows in fold of wrap strip to envelop the collapse folded bag;

FIG. 22H shows joining, by edge overlap taping and/or bonding, of thebag wrap;

FIGS. 23A through 23D show an alternative bag enclosure, configured as amore solid card sleeve wrap, which also provides a modest bag deploymentbias and guidance mass upon wrap rupture and bag release;

NB . . . Whilst a more robust card wrap strip could be installed betweenbag and neck collar, as with FIG. 22A, mounting upon the bag itselfallows modest distributed bag wall loading;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 23A shows juxtaposed folded bag and under-tray of a folded overcard panel—mounted by an adhesive tape strip;

FIG. 23B shows opposed under tray panel ends wrapped around the bag, andtucked under a bag neck rim;

FIG. 23C shows insertion of a completed bag cartridge in a cartonaperture;

FIG. 23D shows bag deployment upon release of the bias mass, whoseattachment to the bag underside promotes bag opening; in doing so, theunder tray expands by unfolding of a side panel, to occupy the internalspan of the carton and so help guide bag movement;

FIGS. 24A and 24B show multiple bag cartridge installation in a commoncarton or boundary;

NB . . . bag cartridges could be used for complementary contents—as,say, a promotional retail item, also useful upon consumption;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 24A shows dual bag cartridges disposed at opposite sides of acarton;

FIG. 24B shows quadruple bag cartridges in a segmented carton—or acluster of nesting cartons of complementary form, in this case atriangular foot print; these could be shrink-wrapped to preserve thecluster until broken up for use;

NB . . . multiple carton contents could be depicted by carton marking ordelineation;

FIGS. 25A through 25E show variant dispositions of bag cartridge incartons of different shapes and sizes;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 25A shows a bag cartridge fitted at an edge with neck orientatedsideways, rather than end-on;

FIG. 25B shows the arrangement of FIG. 25A fitted to an opposite cartonend;

FIG. 25C shows a curved profile collar fitted to a tall thin carton;

FIG. 25D shows a triangular profile collar fitted to a longitudinal edgeof a wide shallow chest style carton;

FIG. 25E shows a collar fitted to a top edge of a tall slender cartonformat;

FIGS. 26A through 26D show variant multiple bag installations within acommon carton, with respective bag necks sharing a common neck collarpiece;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 26A shows a dual side-by-side bag disposition;

FIG. 26B shows a triple bag in a triangular disposition;

FIG. 26C shows a triple bag with side-by-side neck disposition;

FIG. 26D shows dual discrete bags with respective bag collars atopposite ends of a carton;

FIGS. 27A through 27C show diverse carton formats;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 27A shows a polygonal—in this case hexagonal—carton footprint;

FIG. 27B shows a triangular carton footprint;

FIG. 27C shows a semi-circular carton footprint;

FIGS. 28A through 28D show drum, bucket or pail carton variants, withwide mouth necks occupying the entirety of a carton end wall;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 28A shows carton formation by wrapping a panel around an end trayconfigured as a bag cartridge;

FIG. 28B shows an assembled carton of FIG. 28A fitted with a local neckalternative to a removable end panel;

FIG. 28C shows a flip top lid alternative to FIG. 28B;

FIG. 28D shows a circular lid alternative to FIGS. 28B and 28 C for thewrapped bucket container of FIG. 28A;

FIGS. 29A through 29B depict variant cylindrical cartonformats—designated by the Applicant as ‘CARDBOARD BOTTLE’™;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 29A shows an exploded view of a narrow cylindrical carton withopposed end caps configured as bag cartridges, for a double-endedformat, with the option of dual alternative contents fill;

FIG. 29B shows an assembled carton of FIG. 29A, with one end closurerevealed—the other could be a blanking cap for a single content package;

FIG. 29C shows a drum carton variant with dual semi-circular end capsconfigured as bag cartridges for respective discrete individual contentsbags disposed side by side;

Such an arrangement would allow complementary contents fill, such as redand white wine (DUO VIN(0)™ or DEUXVIN™);

FIG. 29D shows an assembled drum of FIG. 29C;

FIGS. 30A and 30B show different depth drum cartons, such as of FIGS.29A through 29D, with a common bag cartridge, deployed to matchingdepth;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 30A shows a translucent view of a drum carton with internal bagconcertina collapse folded to less than its full capacity to suit ashallow drum depth;

FIG. 30B shows a deeper drum carton, such as of FIG. 30A, with the bagextended to take advantage of the full drum depth;

Thus a given bag cartridge diameter and variable expansion bag couldsuit a range of drum depths and attendant volumes—say, a 0.5, 1.0, 1.5and 2.0 litre capacity for liquids from water or milk, through juice, towine;

FIGS. 31A through 31C depict a rolled sleeve carton drum construction;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 31A shows a bag with oppose end fitments—one a neck collar, theother a blanking cap—laid flat upon a card sheet, preparatory toassembly;

FIG. 31B shows initial rolling of the bag and card wrap about mutuallyaligned collar and end cap set upright therefrom in a common rollingaxis;

FIG. 31C shows an assembled tube with outer card wrap edges tape sealedor bonded;

The initial flat format of bag and card allows compact stacking in acassette format ready for assembly;

FIGS. 32A through 32C depict a flip-top closure for a bag cartridge;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 32A shows a side elevation of a self-sealing hinged lid flap fittedto a neck collar

FIG. 32B shows a closed flip top lid recessed within a shallow depthcollar tray;

FIG. 33C shows the flip top lid of FIG. 33B open about a minimal livehinge connection;

FIGS. 33A and 33B depict a ring-pull closure for a bag cartridge;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 33A shows a sealed ring closure set into a collar tray;

FIG. 33B shows a pulled open ring closure;

FIGS. 34A and 34B show a semi-circular flip lid, with wrap around edgeseal;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 34A shows the lid open;

FIG. 34B shows the lid closed;

FIGS. 35A and 35B depict an integrated collar and bag neckconfiguration;

More specifically . . .

FIG. 35A shows an integrally moulded convoluted fold funnel extension ofan otherwise conventional bag neck;

FIG. 35B shows the funnel extension of FIG. 35A flipped over to create acircumferential collar;

NB . . . Collar As Carton Wall

FIGS. 28A-D, 29A-C, 30A-B and 31A-C reflect a blurring of distinctionbetween bag cartridge and carton. Thus a cartridge, or rather a collar,can serve as or substitute for a carton end wall. This ‘liberates’ thecarton configuration from conventional flat folded-over, tuck-in panelconstructions—not least as interaction of (collar) end caps andintervening carton wall can replace carton end flaps, with associatedtape edge seal and bonding. It follows that the term carton used hereinshould be broadly interpreted to include such transitional or mergedforms which the present invention admits.

Extended collar configurations could serve as carton side walls—ie notmerely end wall closures. An example could be any of FIGS. 28 through31, but particularly the ‘CARDBOARD BOTTLE’™ of FIG. 29B. An example isincluded in FIG. 29B1

Referring to the drawings . . .

The drawings are presented in a diagrammatic illustrative style, withsimplification for ease of comprehension—it is believed withoutlaborious detailed description, beyond the general principles outlinedand taken with the component list.

An assembled JERRIBOX(™) BIB container 10—reflected in FIGS. 2B and3D—features an outer carton 14 enshrouding an internal bag liner 11,with a protruding neck or spout 13 entrained by a location and retentioncollar 12.

Collar 12 serves to locate—and in the present invention also retain—inan aperture in carton 14. Collar 12 thus represents a ‘constructiveintervention’ between bag 11 and carton 12. As the collar 12 is nowunited with a pre-collapse folded bag 11 in a so-called bag cartridge 20according the present invention, overall a bag cartridge 20 interactswith a carton 12. Indeed, as will be described later, a bag cartridge 20can substitute for what would otherwise be carton (side or end) wall.

Container 10 is assembled from pre-fabricated components orsub-assemblies. A principal sub-assembly of the present invention is aso-called bag cartridge, capsule or cassette module 20, combining acompact collapse folded bag 11 within a collar 12. Compact means thatthe bag 11 is collapsed to a format 21 within the footprint, span orembrace of a collar 12. Bag 11, and optionally part of collar 12, arewithin a protective temporary outer enclosure or wrap, such as a paperstrip 90 (omitted for clarity in most Figures).

A principal assembly consideration is bag cartridge 20 installation byinsertion from outside a pre-assembled carton 14. Traditional BIB haslocated a pre-filled bag into an open top of a partially pre-assembledcarton. Earlier proposals have used a bag and carton united—evenpre-joined (bonded) before assembly. It is envisaged that bag cartridge20 could be produced off-site and simplify container assembly.

Bag cartridge 20 features a rolled and/or folded up bag 21, within afrangible strip wrap 90, or optionally secured by a (temporary)frangible tie band 22. Diverse roll and/or fold bag collapse modes aretenable—such as the transverse (to neck axis) roll of FIGS. 1A-1C—but aprime fold sequence is elaborated in FIGS. 22A-H.

FIG. 1D shows bag roll about a neck axis—with an outer containment wrap,sheath or sleeve fitted. Other bag collapse (fold) modes are exploredlater. Bag 11 thus remains in a compact condition 21—readily handled andinstalled—until ready for deployment—say by pre-inflation or contentsfill, but only after installation in a carton 14.

A thin-wall bag 11 is vulnerable to snagging, puncture or tear, but whencollapsed or gathered—say rolled or (reverse/concertina) folded—towithin compact format 21 presents a more robust massed ‘bulk’. Thus abag compact 21 is a robust self-contained element, not dependent uponcarton 14 for its integrity. A seamless or freeform pillow bag 11 formatcould be employed. This differentiates it from past bonded bag andcarton outer panels, such as GB959306.

Collar 12 could be a discrete element entrained with, or captive upon,neck 13, say by a retention rim, shoulder washer or circlip.Alternatively, an integrated neck 13 and collar 12—as a unitary element(along with depending bag) could be contrived—say as part of bagproduction. Integration frees up collar 12 and neck 13 design—to admitmore diverse forms. FIGS. 35A-B depict a formative example. Similarly,tie wrap 22 might be integrated with collar 12 or neck 13—or indeed bag11.

A band or strip tie 22 would spread wrap loads over the bag 11 wall, toobviate local constrictions or kinks. An overall sleeve or collar wouldalso serve. Alternatively, a draw cord running through external bag wallloops or pocket seam could be used.

The basic elements of bag cartridge 20, bag 11, bag compact 21, collar12 and carton 14 admit of considerable variation—which is explored,albeit not exhaustively in the drawings, which concentrate upon simplerformats believed generally self-explanatory on their own account and inconjunction with the component list footnote hereto.

Thus FIGS. 1A-1C reflect a basic bag cartridge.

FIG. 1D a rolled bag sheath and pull-off deployment refinement for bagroll about (or alongside) a bag neck axis.

FIGS. 2A-2B reflect bag cartridge installation in a carton aperture topreface bag inflation and fill.

FIGS. 3A-3D reflect an installation sequence.

FIGS. 4A-4D reflect clip-action retention of bag cartridge collar in acarton aperture—reliant upon clip material resilience;

FIGS. 5A-5D reflect clip action using carton edge resilience;

FIGS. 6A-6D reflect a combined slot and clip action for collar location,with reliance upon carton edge resilience;

FIGS. 7A-7D reflect a collar rim with depending fastener spikes forinsertion into carton top panel perforations;

FIGS. 8A-8D reflect a continuous collar edge re-entrant profile forcarton aperture edge retention, along with depending collar to create areception pocket for a collapsed bag;

FIGS. 9A-9D reflect bag multiple stacked offset fold for combineddownwards and sideways deployment upon inflation and/or contents fill;

FIGS. 10A-10C reflect dual slotted bag cartridge collar mounting incarton top and side slot in overlaid top flap panels; reliance is thusnot place upon a collar clip action as such nor undue carton edgedeflection; but an overall carton closure is achieved;

FIGS. 11A-11G reflect slot mounting of a bag cartridge collar in bothcarton top and side panels, with a variant carton top flap panelconfiguration;

FIGS. 12A-12F reflect bag cartridge retention with a collar locking flapwith lock pin through carton side wall perforations;

FIGS. 13A-13C reflect resiliently deformable bag cartridge collarupstand with side shoulders for carton aperture location;

FIGS. 14A -14I reflect a rotary locating and retention bag cartridgecollar configuration, with interlocking of a depending spill lip;

FIGS. 15A-15E reflect active collar pop/flip up-down action by areversible conical collar floor profile, along with a cylindrical barrelrolled bag profile;

FIGS. 16A-16D reflect a, bucket-style BIB format with large neckspanning most of the footprint;

FIGS. 17A-17C reflect mechanised insertion and co-ordinated baginflation and/or contents fill;

FIGS. 18A through 20C detail anti-torque provision.

Installation—Operation

It is envisaged that a light-weight, ‘pick-and-place’ robotic arm 81mounted upon a traveller rail 83, would pick up a pre-prepared bagcartridge 20 from a storage dispenser, such as a feed chute, or apre-packed matrix tray assembly (not shown*). The bag cartridge 20 wouldbe gripped by the neck 13 or collar 12 and a temporary sealingconnection made to a pneumatic supply in readiness for bag inflation.

Selected bag cartridge 20 would then be carried to a carton 14, alignedand inserted—by, say, a translational and/or rotational (twist) actioninto a carton aperture 24.

A precise pneumatic pulse would be applied to inflate and deploy the bag11 until firmly and snugly up against a carton 14 inner walls. Theoperation would allow controlled bag positioning, orientation anddeployment.

Bag Cartridge Retention

Bag cartridge retention is desirably supplemented by bag 11 inflationand/or contents fill. Thus, say, a bag top shoulder could bias collarlocking—say, from below.

A larger collar could allow bag cartridge utilisation for BUCKET BOX™style containers, with an access aperture span at, or close to cartonfootprint.

FIGS. 16A-D reflect this.

Larger collars and apertures offer even greater control over baglocation and orientation, for satisfactory and consistent deployment.Diverse closure styles, not necessarily screw closures, but flip lids,could also be adopted, say to mirror user familiarity with metal cans orplastics tubs or buckets with integrated handles.

Wine Box

A closure with control valve, such as a wine box ON/OFF tap stoppercould be substituted. A pop-up, retractable neck or spout could becontrived with bag 11 inflation and/or fill—so the bag 11 provides aspring cushion support. A conical profile, resilient collar upstandcould impart a spring up or down action to a captive bag neck. Forwine-box use, a tap stopper could be carried. Neck installationmid-carton footprint would provide centrally disposed access. FIGS.15A-E explore an example.

Anti-Torque

A rectangular or flat-sided collar 12 profile could locate within arectangular carton top panel aperture—for anti-torque resistance toscrew closure tightening upon fitment.

Cartridge Wrap

A one-sided or overall cartridge thin layer, peelable (shrink) wrap maybe fitted for secure pre-installation. A frangible sheet gauge, allowsrupture upon bag inflation and unroll/unfold without impediment.

Grip or Handle

With due consideration to entrainment clip loading and top panel closuresecurity, a locating collar profile may incorporate a finger grip recessor cut-out to the inside of a bag neck, to facilitate carton tip andpour. Alternatively, a recessed, but pull-up, movable handle may beincorporated in the collar—if cost considerations allow. Handle orprofiled finger grip cut-outs may also feature in carton wall panels.

Neck/Spout Disposition

A neck or spout may be offset to one side of a bag top for largercapacity bags lending themselves to tip and discharge pour from oneside. For smaller, say milk or juice, carton sizes readily graspedsingle-handedly, a neck may be disposed more centrally, say marginallyto one side of a longitudinal (upright) axis.

Bucket or Bin

For a more squat container profile, such as a bucket or bin, a largerspan bag neck and locating collar would suit. A top opening and closuremight span a major part, if not the entirety, of a container footprint.The collar could then play a greater structural role in the overallcontainer.

Bag Seam Disposition

Bag panel fabrication (weld) joint (reinforcement) seams may beco-operatively disposed with carton corners or panel junctions. Thus,say, a bag seam may be disposed diagonally between opposed carton corneredges.

Bag Orientation+Deployment

Bag orientation is facilitated by collar alignment upon collar 12insertion into a complementary carton aperture 24 and bag 11 deploymentby pneumatic inflation. Collar 12 and bag neck 13 interfit andorientation are explored in FIGS. 18A-C.

An individual JERRIBOX(™) BIB container 10 features an outer carton 14enshrouding an internal bag liner 11, with a protruding neck or spout 13entrained by a location and retention collar 12. Collar 12 is configuredas an open-sided shallow tray 29, with upstanding peripheral side andrear walls 27 with top rim flange 28 surmounting a carton top panel25/32/37. An open front face is thus exposed between out-turned frontface flanges surmounting a carton front wall panel 33. This providesclearance for contents discharge pouring from neck 13 and allowsdrainage of spillage containment upon collar floor 29 by collar walls27. An optional depending spill lip flange also wraps the upper marginsof carton front face. A collar floor 29 upstand 17 interacts with a neck13 base shoulder retention ledge, rim or shoulder 15. Upstand 17 depthis chosen to accommodate carton wall thickness, whether solid orcorrugated.

Carton 14 features an inset top recess at one side. FIGS. 18A-C show arectangular aperture 34 in carton top seat or step, with an instep ledge85, accommodates the collar 12 tray profile, without protruding abovecarton top (closure flap) panel 84.

Anti-torque features of bag neck 13 and collar 12 are more apparent fromFIGS. 18C and 18*D. Thus an aperture 16 in collar 12 has a shallowflared rim upstand with a series of circumferentially spaced radialnotches or slots 18 to accommodate corresponding radial tongues or ribs19 at the base shoulder of back neck 13.

Co-operative tongue/rib 19 and notch/slot 18 interaction can also servefor collar 12 entrainment upon bag neck 13, with carton wall sandwichedtherebetween—as is more apparent from FIG. 18B. Thus a marginalinterference fit between ribs 19 and slots 18 could be admitted.

Rotary indexing and entrapment of neck 13 and collar 12 could also becontrived by complementary interfit of collar upstand 17 and neckshoulder 15. That is ribs 19 and slots 18 could temporarily align forcollar mounting then misalign for collar 12 capture. Modest bag 11pre-twist and then relaxation rotation would suffice to accommodate suchindexing. Alternatively, a separate locking collar or circlip (notshown) could be fitted to neck 13 after collar 12 fitment, to retaincollar 12 securely in place.

Only a marginal local base stem (shoulder) portion of neck 13 belowclosure cap location threads need have locating ribs 19. Ribs and slotsalternate on both collar 12 aperture 16 and neck 13 stem. Effectively,complementary serrated or ‘dog-tooth’ neck 13 stem and collar 12aperture 16 profiles co-operatively inter-fit and interact.

A bag 11 and carton 14 assembly sequence, culminating in capture of bagneck 13 by locating collar 12 is reflected in FIGS. 21A through 21D.Reliance is placed upon juxtaposition of neck 13 of a pre-collapsed bag11 with a corresponding aperture 24 in a carton top flap panel .

The carton 14 is pre-assembled as a sleeve wrap and collapsed bag 11inserted from one open end. An alternative envisaged in a companionpatent application of the Applicant is carton 14 wrap about a web fedflat bag 11.

FIG. 19C shows collar 12 presented to pre-fabricated instep in carton 14top panel, ready to receive and locate protruding bag neck 13.

FIG. 19A reflects a collapsed bag 11 in collapsed flat-pack carton 12sandwich with protruding aligned bag neck 13 located—and held captiveby—collar 12, ready for neck closure cap 38 (threaded) fitment.

FIGS. 20A-B depicts closure cap 88 fitment—albeit in practice a closurecap would not be fitted until bag contents fill within a 3D erectedcarton.

Thus, more realistically, both FIGS. 21A and 21B could be regarded asrelating to erected and filled 3D BIB cartons.

In principle, a pre-fitted closure cap 88 could be inserted, along withbag neck 13—with collar 12 aperture 24 sized to pass over it, so aclosed rather than open-ended bag neck is located. That said, again,closure 88 fitment is traditionally post fill—so removal pre-fill andreinstatement would be additional—and redundant—steps, particularly forcarton assembly close to a fill station. A temporary cap might beinstalled to prevent contamination of bag inner capacity. Alternatively,a temporary neck cap seal, removed and discarded or punctured upon fill,might preserve bag internal condition—say for contents for humanconsumption, such as edible oils. A sterile bag could thus becontemplated.

FIG. 24A shows a split contents box of twin juxtaposed bags withrespective neck collars at opposite sides. Such an arrangement might beused for complementary products, such as different fruit juices, or redand white wine.

FIG. 24B shows a multiple—in this case quadruple—segmented BIB variantwith triangular footprint quadrants nestled within an outer rectangularformat. Graphic delineation and/or background colour infill couldexpress the sub-division visually, but within a common contiguous cartonshell. In use the carton would simply be turned to present a selectedquadrant neck for access. A multi-head fill line (not shown) might beused for simultaneous fill of respective quadrant contents.

A discrete cruciform footprint liner might be located between internalbag quadrants, for mutual isolation and (end-to-end) stiffening, bracingand support. Segmentation of the carton itself is an option—withdiscrete carton quadrants (with respective internal bags) entrainedwithin, say, a shrink-wrap sheath. Again, each quadrant has a dedicatedneck, location and retention collar.

Collar profiles admit of variation from rectangular profiles, asexplored in FIGS. 25A through 25F. Collar 12 and neck 13 would beprofiled to suit target contents fill and dispensing. FIG. 3C depictsthe diversity of potential flowable content forms, including—but notlimited to—liquids, gels, pastes, chunks, tablets, capsules, pellets,granules, flakes and powders. Indeed, subject to test, any fragmentedmaterial form could be considered—with appropriate sizing and shaping ofbag access aperture. Thus, for example, apertures representing a muchlarge proportion of a carton end might be adopted to facilitatefree-flow discharge—or even insertion of a ladle or scoop. Provisionmight be made for bag or even overall carton squeeze locally to reducecross-section and promote contents discharge—as with, say, pastes.

Neck/Spout Disposition

A neck or spout may be offset to one side of a bag top for largercapacity bags lending themselves to tip and discharge pour from oneside. For smaller, say milk or juice, carton sizes readily graspedsingle-handedly, a neck may be disposed more centrally, say marginallyto one side of a longitudinal (upright) axis.

Bag Seam Disposition

Bag panel fabrication (weld) joint (reinforcement) seams may beco-operatively disposed with carton corners or panel junctions. Thus,say, a bag seam may be disposed diagonally between opposed carton corneredges.

Mix ‘n’ Match

Features described may be variously mixed and matched to suitoperational requirements. It is not feasible to show every suchpermutation or combination of features.

Phrases bracketed—vis {. . . }—alongside claim numbering—are for ease ofreference and as such form no part of claim interpretation or scope.

Variant Diversity

Carton Configuration

Although predominantly rectangular or polygonal flat sided cartons havebeen described and illustrated, as more readily fabricated frominitially flat sheet material, curvilinear forms might be contemplated.A prime curved form would be a cylindrical wrap—say about plastics endcaps with integral bag location collar functionality.

Indeed full-span end caps could dictate an outer cross-sectional form orfootprint, with variable spacing to accommodate differential sleevedepth. This could apply to diverse end cap profiles, includingrectangular, polygonal segmented, arcuate circular, oval or conicsections. An intervening sleeve set between opposed end caps could besimpler than a conventional carton, with potentially less material usageor waste and more flexible assembly. A carton sleeve could be severed toa desired length from a continuous extruded tube.

Pre-formed tubes of pre-impregnated or pre-sealed material, such asemployed with TETRAPAK(™) cartons could be employed. Along with asealable bag, this could provide a measure of double sealprotection—albeit contingent upon sealing interfit of end caps andintervening sleeve.

Bag-Liner Configuration

Similar considerations of variant form apply to the bag or liner. Whilstgenerally complementary bag and carton forms may be desirable to usablemaximise internal volume or capacity, disconformity may be employed toleave free pockets for other uses. An example would be supplementarydiscrete cushion bags for impact or drop resistance—putting to advantagea gap between carton and bag walls.

Unification

Although bag and carton have been shown as discrete elements, cartonpanels and bag walls could be conjoined or united locally, or evenintegrated. Such unification could be upon inter-assembly and bagpre-inflation or contents fill.

Sleeve Bag

A bag could be configured as a hollow sleeve, admitting both internaland external carton sleeve disposition in an overall carton-bag-cartonsandwich. Such a composite sandwich form could be inflated or contractedwhilst retaining relative disposition of elements. A bag neck could bedisposed in mid carton wall span. A neck collar could be configured as asurrounding guidance funnel into the back neck. This could be helpfulfor drainage into a bag from an overlying reservoir. Thus, say, a usedoil container could be contrived in a sump drain format for sealed wastedisposal.

COMPONENT LIST

FIGS. 1A-3D et seq

-   10 BIB container-   11 bag/liner-   12 location+retention collar-   13 neck or spout-   14 carton-   15 neck rim/shoulder-   16 collar aperture-   17 collar rim flange upstand-   18 collar rim serrations: notches/slots-   19 neck rib/tongue-   20 bag cartridge-   21 rolled/folded bag-   22 bag wrap-   23 wrap tie-   24 carton aperture

FIGS. 4A-D

-   25 carton panel edge (aperture 24)-   26 collar retention lugs-   27 collar side wall-   28 collar top flange-   29 collar base/floor tray-   30

FIGS. 5A-D

-   31 rigid collar wall ribs/protrusions-   32 flexible panel edge (aperture 24)

FIGS. 6A-D

-   33 (front) panel edge upstand (for slot 36)-   34 bull nose continuous rib/protrusion-   35 face flange-   36 slot 36 (face flange 35)

FIGS. 7A-D

-   37 (stiff) carton top panel-   38 spiked rib (re-entrant profile)-   39 carton panel aperture (rib 38)

FIGS. 8A-D

-   40 bag cartridge-   41 collapsed (concertina) folded bag-   42 pocket housing-   43 retention rim-   44 location slot (face flange)

FIGS. 9A-D

-   45 bag cartridge-   46 wrap around collapsed bag fold-   47 wrap around+side fold bag-   48 bag cartridge with slotted location flange-   49 location flange

FIGS. 10A-C

-   50 carton-   51 top side flaps-   52 side flap cut out-   53 top rear flap-   54 rear flap cut-out-   55 front wall cut-out

FIGS. 11A-G

-   56 carton-   57 top flap-   58 top flap cut-out-   59 edge aperture

FIGS. 12A-F

-   60-   61 front flap-   62 location+retention studs-   63 reception apertures (carton front wall)

FIGS. 13A-C

-   64 edge rib-   65 flex wall collar

FIGS. 14A-I

-   66 drum cartridge-   67 front flap-   68 barrel body/bag receptacle-   69 carton aperture

FIGS. 15A-E

-   70 funnel mounting flange-   71 flex wall-   72 edge clip location profile-   73 barrel body/bag holder-   74 carton aperture

FIGS. 16A-D

-   75 cartridge disc-   76 shallow circumferential wall-   77 rim location clip-   78 rim top flange-   79 rim handle-   80 bucket carton

FIGS. 17A-C

-   81 robotic pick-and-place arm-   82 suction cup-   83 traveller rail

FIGS. 18A-D

-   84 carton top panel-   85 carton instep ledge (optional)-   86 carton front panel

FIGS. 19A-20B

-   88 closure cap

FIGS. 21A-21D

-   <refs 11-22>

FIGS. 22A-B

-   89 longitudinal bag folds-   90 bag wrap strip

FIGS. 22C-H

-   91 reverse fold-   92 transverse fold

FIGS. 23A-D

-   93 mounting strip-   94 card wrap-   95 outfold panel-   96 abutting card ends

FIGS. 24A-25E

-   97 dual bag cartridges-   98 multiple bag cartridges-   99 carton sub-division-   100 contents diversity

FIGS. 26A-D

-   100 multiple bags in common collar

FIGS. 27A-C

-   101 polygonal carton-   102 triangular carton-   103 semi-circular carton

FIGS. 28A-D

-   104 rectangular end cartridge-   105 folded carton panel wrap-   106 bottom tray-   107 fill neck-   108 flip top lid-   109 disc lid

FIGS. 29A-29D

-   110 cardboard bottle-   111 barrel end cartridge-   112 cardboard tube carton-   113 end blanking disc-   114 end cartridge-   115 split semi-circular end cartridge-   116 multiple bag end cartridge

FIGS. 30A-B

-   117 partly deployed (concertina folded) bag-   118 variable capacity bag end cartridge-   119 fully deployed bag-   120 stub carton-   121 tall carton

FIGS. 31A-C

-   122 end cartridge collar-   123 blanking disc end-   124 bag liner-   125 card outer wrap-   126 rolled tube carton

FIGS. 32A-34B

-   127 flip lid-   128 ring pull closure-   129 lid with edge rim

FIGS. 35A-B

-   130 convoluted funnel-   131 flip over neck collar

FIG. 3C

-   150 content diversity

1.-20. (canceled)
 21. A bag cartridge insertable into an outer cartonand deployable therein, the bag cartridge comprising: a collar having abase, a top surface and a bottom surface, a sidewall extending about thebase away from the top surface, and a top flange extending from thesidewall opposite the top surface of the base, the base having anaperture extending therethrough; at least one lug spaced apart from thetop flange, the lug structurally configured to retain a portion of anouter carton between the top flange and the at least one lug; a flexiblebag defining a cavity; a spout sealed to the bag and providing fluidcommunication with the cavity, the spout extending through the apertureof the collar, and wherein the bag is placed in a collapsed orientationsubstantially positioned below the bottom surface of the base of thecollar, and includes a frangible restraint tie maintaining the collapsedorientation.
 22. The bag cartridge of claim 21 wherein the spout and thecollar are integrally molded.
 23. The bag cartridge of claim 21 whereinthe at least one lug comprises a plurality of lugs extending from thesidewall or the top flange, each lug being movable so as to allow anedge of an outer carton to extend beyond the lug toward the top flange,whereupon extension beyond the lug captures the outer carton between thelug and the top flange.
 24. The bag cartridge of claim 21 wherein thecollapsed orientation places a predominant portion of the bag within afootprint defined by the base of the collar.
 25. The bag cartridge ofclaim 24 wherein the collapsed orientation comprises a compact format.26. The bag cartridge of claim 21 wherein the spout includes a firstmember which interfaces with a complementary second member on theaperture of the collar to limit the rotation of the spout relative tothe aperture;
 27. The bag cartridge of claim 26 wherein the first memberof the spout comprises a protrusion and the complementary second memberon the aperture comprises a plurality of serrations.
 28. The bagcartridge of claim 21 wherein the frangible restrain tie is selectedfrom the group consisting of: a frangible paper outer shroud, aburstable enclosure, wrap or bag, a closure tie, tape, band, and cord,as well as combinations of the foregoing.
 29. The bag cartridge of claim21 wherein the frangible restraint tie comprises a frangible paper outershroud which extends about the bag in a collapsed configuration, thefrangible paper outer shroud is fractured proximate the spout uponimparting of an inflationary or filling force upon the bag.
 30. The bagcartridge of claim 21 wherein the base has a front edge, at least aportion of the front edge being spaced apart from the side wall so as todefine a tray.
 31. The bag cartridge of claim 10 wherein the front edgeand the sidewall edges form a front edge, the top flange extending aboutat least a portion of the front edge.
 32. The bag cartridge of claim 21wherein the bag is folded in a configuration such that upon filling thebag first extends in a downward direction away from the bottom surfaceof the base prior to extending in an outward direction.
 33. The bagcartridge of claim 21 further comprising one of a snap-on and a threadedclosure cap for sealing the spout.
 34. A bag in box container comprisingan outer carton having a plurality of walls, an aperture positioned inat least one of the plurality of walls, wherein the bag cartridge ofclaim 1 is positioned within the aperture, the collar of the bagcartridge configured so as to preclude rotation of the bag cartridgewithin the aperture.
 35. The bag in box container of claim 34 whereinthe aperture is positioned in the top wall and extends over a portion ofthe front wall.
 36. A method of forming a bag in box containercomprising the steps of: providing the bag cartridge of claim 21;providing an outer carton having a plurality of walls and an aperturepositioned in at least one wall; inserting the bag cartridge into theaperture of the outer box.
 37. A method of filling a bag in boxcontainer comprising the steps of: providing the bag in box container ofclaim 32; breaking the frangible restraint tie of the cartridge; fillingthe bag of the cartridge with a contents; and sealing the spout of thebag.